Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda will visit the Indian State of Gujarat from Oct. 6 to 9 at the invitation of the State Government headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi for talks with the Chief Minister and other senior personalities from the government and private sector in the State, his ministry confirmed.
Located on western coast, Gujarat is a strong contributor to the Indian economy posting industrial growth of 12.5% from 2002 to 2007. With a land area of 6% of India’s total geographic area and 5% of the Indian population, Gujarat accounts for 14.3% of India’s exports, 38% of urbanization and 16% national industrial production.
Moragoda’s discussions will focus on promoting tourism and collaboration in the hospitality related sector between Sri Lanka and Gujarat. The talks will also endeavour to build on the complementarities afforded by the dynamic expansion in Gujarat on the one hand and Sri Lanka’s human resource development and strategic location on the other.
This visit is believed to be the first at a senior level from Sri Lanka to Gujarat. It is expected that it will contribute to a tangible strengthening of the economic and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and that part of India, officials said. |
